Caregivers' playfulness and infants' emotional stress during transitional time

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore the playfulness of the teachers of infants and its relations to infants' emotional distress during the transitional time at a child care centre. The study used a qualitative case study. Two infant caregivers in a university-based child care centre participated in this study. For the three-month research period, observations, interviews, ongoing conversations, email exchanges and field notes were used as data sources. The findings revealed that the infant caregivers' playfulness appeared in a wide range of verbal and non-verbal behaviours, gestures and expressions. Also, the caregivers' playfulness helped to alleviate infants' emotional distress and made smooth transitions to new experiences. The study suggests playfulness is a constructive way for infants to build up the relationship between infants and teachers. © 2011 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.